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Cyclone swept coconut trees - laid back...
Cyclone swept coconut trees - laid back... - Photo by Bill Fairs

Explore the Beautiful Beaches and Dazzling Sunsets of the Cook

About Cook Islands

The Cook Islands, a South Pacific paradise, is a popular travel destination known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. From snorkeling in Aitutaki's magnificent lagoon to exploring the lively markets in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands offer a unique and unforgettable travel experience. Book your trip now and discover the magic of the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands are a group of 15 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Located between French Polynesia and Samoa, the Cook Islands are a paradise for travelers seeking a relaxing and secluded tropical getaway. The islands boast crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and lush jungles, making them the perfect destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The Cook Islands offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Snorkeling and diving are particularly popular, and the islands are home to some of the most stunning coral reefs in the world. Visitors can also go fishing, hiking, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun.

One of the most unique aspects of the Cook Islands is the opportunity to experience the local culture. The islands are home to a vibrant and welcoming community, and visitors can attend cultural events, try local cuisine, and learn about the island's rich history. The island's capital, Avarua, is a great place to start exploring the local culture, with its colorful markets and traditional architecture.

Accommodations on the Cook Islands range from luxury resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses, all of which offer stunning views and easy access to the islands' many attractions. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation, the Cook Islands have something to offer.

In short, the Cook Islands are a tropical paradise that offer visitors the chance to relax, explore, and experience the local culture. With its stunning natural beauty and friendly community, it's no wonder that the Cook Islands are becoming an increasingly popular travel destination. So if you're looking for an unforgettable escape, consider booking a trip to this stunning South Pacific gem.

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Popular Stays in Cook Islands

Explore some of the most affordable vacation packages and accommodation stays in Cook Islands

Beach
Hotels with spa

Nautilus Resort Rarotonga

Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Muri, Nautilus Resort Rarotonga promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Express check-in/check-out, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas, valet parking, car park are there for guest's enjoyment. Designed for comfort, selected guestrooms offer television LCD/plasma screen, complimentary instant coffee, complimentary tea, free welcome drink, linens to ensure a restful night. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. For reliable service and professional staff, Nautilus Resort Rarotonga caters to your needs.
Beach
Hotels with spa

Rumours Luxury Villas And Spa

Set in a prime location of Rarotonga, Rumours Luxury Villas and Spa puts everything the city has to offer just outside your doorstep. The hotel offers a wide range of amenities and perks to ensure you have a great time. Express check-in/check-out, luggage storage, car park, room service, airport transfer are just some of the facilities on offer. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and some offering convenient amenities like television LCD/plasma screen, additional bathroom, additional toilet, cleaning products, clothes rack. Entertain the hotel's recreational facilities, including hot tub, private beach, golf course (within 3 km), outdoor pool, diving. Convenience and comfort makes Rumours Luxury Villas and Spa the perfect choice for your stay in Rarotonga.
Restaurant
Business hotelsHotels with spaSport hotels

Tamanu Beach Resort

Tamanu Beach is a stunning beach front property located on the Western side of Aitutaki. Owned and operated by the Henry family, the property offers 22 bungalows all with indoor/outdoor showers plus, 1 villa with large decking, double shower and kitchenette. 2 freshwater swimming pools, 2 bars and a restaurant right on the beach, ideal for evening cocktails or a perfect setting for a group wedding/function.
Beach
Business hotelsHotels with spaSport hotelsFamily hotels

The Rarotongan Beach Resort Spa

Experience Rarotonga's best beach resort. Slip off your watch your shoes your cares and immerse yourself in paradise at the renowned Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa on the island's best beach and crystal clear lagoon. Here on the island's sought after southwest sunshine coast you'll discover the Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve a snorkeller's paradise and Rarotonga's best snorkelling spot where you can play with the jewel coloured reef fish to your heart's content (at all tides!). Join the resort's friendly Activities Team to hand feed the fish go on a Night Snorkelling Safari paddle a vaka (outrigger) husk a coconut dance the ‘ura (hula) or make an ei (lei) – all as part of the resort's wealth of complimentary activities. When you're yearning for a true tropical island escape – complete with warm sun sand sea and the incomparable spirit of the South Seas – the iconic Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa awaits you. Ask about The Rarotongan's beautiful Beachfront Suites Honeymoon Bungalow with private pool or new luxury 3 bedroom private pool villas. For couples in love there's a Personal Wedding Planner to create your dream island wedding right beside Aroa Lagoon the Lagoon of Love. You can find a number of resorts on Rarotonga but only at The Rarotongan can you truly find Rarotonga in your resort.
Beach
Business hotelsHotels with spaOnly adultsSport hotels

Crown Beach Resort And Spa

Rarotonga's leading beachfront romantic luxury resort... Ridiculously romantic Crown Beach Resort & Spa is located on the windless sunset coast of Rarotonga where 5 acres of botanical gardens and an endless icing sugar beach caress a sparkling blue lagoon to offer a private secluded haven for just 36 couples to frolic in uninterrupted space & unhurried time. Indulge. Candlelit dinners on the beach under a million stars allow you to get sand between your toes while you feast on exquisite carefully orchestrated cuisine. Our villas and suites present king bedrooms adorned with lavish textures in neutral tones that warm the soul choose from your own private swimming pool or hot tub. This place is sure to unleash your desire with the one you love. Enjoy pure indulgence with the finest full service luxury boutique resort nesting 36 stand alone villas onsite spa & beauty clinic onsite dive centre two world class restaurants & bars a cocktail lounge & tapas eatery gymnasium beautiful waterfall mineral pool and spectacular sunsets.Strategically tucked away from the villas & resort romance zones is Rarotonga's state of the art private function centre & meeting rooms that are perfect for conferences corporate meetings or executive retreats for groups of up to 250 people. Crown Beach Resort & Spa is your key for pure bliss and luxurious romantic salvation.
Beach
Only adults

Manuia Beach Resort

With magical sunsets over a sparkling blue lagoon and a sheltered white sand beach the Manuia Beach Resort offers discerning guests a tranquil and romantic getaway with outstanding amenities and service.24 Polynesian style rooms in duplexes set in lush tropical gardens with six rooms located on the beach offering uninterrupted views of the lagoon and Pacific Ocean beyond. Our sand floor Right on the Beach Restaurant & Bar "Infinity Edge" freshwater pool and friendly staff provide an intimate and personalized holiday experience for you.
General view
Hotels with spa

Te Manava Luxury Villas And Spa

The road less travelled… If you are a traveller who appreciates beautiful surroundings and luxurious accommodation… and you also value your independence, Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa has been designed just for you. This new Cook Islands concept in luxury accommodation gives you the freedom to personalise your own leisure experience. Set on the beautiful white sand beach of Rarotonga's stunning Muri lagoon your private villa awaits. How you choose to use it is completely up to you…We recognize that some travellers prefer to be entirely self sufficiant while others prefer a full service 5 star experience. Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa offers you the best of both worlds for a dream vacation to treasure forever.
Bar
Business hotelsHotels with charmBeach hotelsHotels with spaDesign

Pacific Resort Aitutaki

Pacific Resort Aitutaki welcomes you to one of the world's most secluded boutique island resorts – offering luxurious Aitutaki hotel accommodation. 5 star boutique island resort is nestled on the shores of Rapae Bay Lagoon. Secluded villa style accommodation dotted among the palm trees gives you easy access to the warm shallow lagoon waters for excellent swimming snorkelling and kayaking adventures. Surrounded by the crystal clear turquoise waters of Aitutaki lagoon the idyllic atoll of Aitutaki is a magical destination. Explore the sights. Enjoy the sophistication of delicious cuisine attentive high quality service and modern resort facilities.Discover true relaxation. With just 29 luxurious beachfront suites villas premium bungalows and ultimate bungalows all situated within steps of the Pacific Ocean Pacific Resort Aitutaki is secluded and peaceful. Pacific Resort Aitutaki is an award winning resort winning “World's Leading Boutique Island Resort” in the World Travel Awards of 2008 2009 and 2010. There's plenty to keep you entertained at Pacific Resort Aitutaki. Just remember: the most valued recreation here is pure relaxation! Do what you want when you feel like it this is your dream holiday. Secluded beachfront accommodation flawless blue lagoon views and modern facilities offer you all the comforts of home.The grand entry and extensive facilities of Pacific Resort Aitutaki are housed together to offer our guests five star convenience and a warm welcome all in the one place. The design and placement of our facilities was given careful thought so as to give our guests a great first impression of beautiful ocean views and an appreciation of the natural underlying rock formations a naturally occurring organic feature of this ideal location.

Things to do in Cook Islands

Choose from a range of unique experiences and fun activities in Cook Islands

Cook Islands family photography Charlotte Piho
Digital Voucher45 minutes

Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session

Cook Islands magical family photography session with Charlotte or one of her amazing team (Follow @charlottepiho and @charlottepiho_photography on instagram to see her latest work). Flower crowns provided. Charlotte loves to capture natural candid moments of joy and the love you and your family have for each other. You will be emailed an online downloadable album of at least 100+ HD quality photos, so you have beautiful family photos to print for your home.
Our Meet & Greet desk
Digital Voucher minutes

Seat in Coach Transfer from Rarotonga Airport to Hotel

International Airport Transfer (Seat In Coach) Airport to all hotels / resorts and holiday homes with amazing a warm local customer service. Inclusions are Meet & Greet by Cook Islands Tours Staff member on arrival, flower Lei (Ei), Cool face towelette and chilled bottle of water.
Ocean Drift Snorkel Safari
Digital Voucher150 minutes

Ocean Drift Snorkel Safari

Experience ocean snorkeling like never before. When drift snorkeling, you’ll begin at one spot and finish at another. We’ll take you to the underwater reef resting place of a 100 year old shipwreck only 5 meters below the surface. You will get to experience marine life beyond the reef. The clarity of the deep, hues of electric blue and a marine wonderland where everything is possible. amazing clarity. See the “Coral Gardens” just outside the reef where it’s possible to swim with turtles, Puffer fish, Reef Sharks and more. Our drift snorkeling safari’s launch from our purpose designed dive boat that will drop you off in the ocean and then meet you at a designated pick up point when it’s time to end your journey. Don’t worry, our professional Adventure Guides are with you every step of the way and our boat is never far away.
Our stop at a local black pearl farmer includes a 20 mins Pearl Talk
Digital Voucher150 minutes

Rarotonga Orientation & Sightseeing Tour

Recommended for first time visitors to Rarotonga to undertake soon after arriving.  The tour is to give you a background on places and things to do around the island including sites, history and way of life.   There is a brief stop for a pearl talk where you will learn about one of the most important and iconic export from the Cook Islands. Learn about important and interesting tourist facilities and services around the island.
Beautiful scenery
Digital Voucher300 minutes

'Explore' Rarotonga Guided Bike Tour with Lunch and Swim

Cycle at a relaxed pace with your small group for four hours along the 'back road' - Ara Metua, lane ways and occasional gentle terrain bush tracks. You will experience the tranquil pace of local village life, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There are plenty of stops along the way where your tour guide will tell you more about what you are seeing and experiencing. The 'explore' tour concludes with a delicious local lunch at the beach, where you can have a swim to cool off. Small group sizes make each tour unique. Please see www.storytellers.co.ck for more information about this and other tours, as well as supplier direct pricing and discounted tour bundles.
Afternoon Stroll Walking Tour
Digital Voucher180 minutes

Afternoon Stroll Walking Tour

Rarotonga has many stories - and many stories about the stories. For those of you interested in learning more about this beautiful island - but not so keen on riding a bicycle - why not come on a walking tour? See and learn more about Rarotonga with a knowledgeable tour guide, on a casual, easy-paced stroll around the Avarua - Tupapa area near town on a quiet Saturday afternoon. This tour would especially appeal to those interested in the history and culture of the Islands - and there's also plenty to look at and perhaps taste along the way. Finish up with a cold drink at a local bar. Suitable for any age. Please visit our website for more information about this and other tours, included supplier direct rates and discounted tour bundles.
Snorkelling from the glass bottom boat
Digital Voucher240 minutes

Half-Day Muri Lagoon BBQ Lunch Cruise including Snorkeling

Don't miss a fantastic day out on Muri Lagoon!  Since 1992, we have been offering our Muri Lagoon cruise and sharing our tropical island playground with visitors to Muri Beach, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. We certainly know how to have a good time and would love to bring you along! Join us on this wonderful lagoon cruise that includes a delicious BBQ lunch! Enjoy snorkeling in the clear water while keeping an eye out for Charlie the huge Moray Eel and colorful tropical fish!
Premium Sea Scooter Turtle Adventure
Digital Voucher120 minutes

Premium Sea Scooter Turtle Adventure

Swim with the turtles and discover a new way to explore Rarotonga’s marine environments with our experienced team, snorkeling with an Ariki Sea Scooter!

Why People Love Cook Islands

See what people have to say about activities and accommodations in Cook Islands

9
968jarrodb
5
Feb 2023
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Awesome trip, highly recommended! The guides are great, genuine people. We saw about 5 or 6 turtles.
L
lilyt892
5
Oct 2022
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
My partner and I did a one-hour photo session with Charlotte and it was absolutely wonderful. We are typically shy people but Charlotte made us feel comfortable and her energy was just amazing. The pictures turned out stunning and I couldn't be happier with them. Thank you so much for capturing...
C
Charlotte000012
5
Sep 2022
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Cook Islands Family or Couple Photo Session
Absolutely beautifully edited family photos and so many of them. We had so much fun doing these and now we have beautiful memories to cherish. Worth every cent.

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Explore all things to do in Cook Islands

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cook Islands

What are some popular activities to do in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is a beautiful destination with plenty of activities to choose from. Here are some popular activities: 1. Snorkeling and diving in Aitutaki Lagoon 2. Exploring the Te Rua Manga mountain 3. Visiting the beautiful beaches of Muri and Titikaveka 4. Enjoying a cultural night show with traditional dance and music 5. Taking a hike through the Takitumu Conservation Area

What are some must-see attractions in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is home to many amazing attractions that are definitely worth seeing. Here are some must-see attractions: 1. Aitutaki Lagoon 2. Te Rua Manga mountain 3. Cook Islands Cultural Village 4. Arorangi Cook Island Christian Church 5. Rarotonga Cross-Island Track

What is the best time to visit Cook Islands?

The best time to visit Cook Islands is during the dry season which is from May to October. During this time, the weather is warm and pleasant, and there is little chance of rain. This is also the peak tourist season, so expect prices to be higher and attractions to be more crowded.

What are the most popular accommodations in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands has a range of accommodations to choose from. Here are some of the most popular options: 1. Pacific Resort Rarotonga 2. Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort 3. Crown Beach Resort & Spa 4. Nautilus Resort 5. Little Polynesian Resort

What is the local cuisine like in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands has a unique cuisine that is influenced by Polynesian and European flavors. Some popular dishes include Ika Mata (raw fish marinated in lime and coconut cream), Rukau (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream), and Poke (a salad made with raw fish and vegetables).

What is the currency used in Cook Islands?

The currency used in Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar (NZD).

What is the transportation like in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is a small island nation, so transportation is fairly limited. The best way to get around is by rental car or scooter. Taxis are also available, but they can be expensive. There is no public transportation on the islands.

What is the nightlife like in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is not known for its nightlife, but there are still some fun options for those looking for a night out. Most of the nightlife is centered around the resorts, with live music, cultural shows, and dancing. There are also a few bars and nightclubs in Rarotonga.

Is Cook Islands a family-friendly destination?

Yes, Cook Islands is a great destination for families. There are plenty of activities and attractions that are suitable for children, such as snorkeling, hiking, and cultural shows. There are also many family-friendly accommodations available.

What is the culture like in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands has a rich Polynesian culture that is deeply rooted in tradition. The people are warm and friendly, and visitors are often welcomed with open arms. The culture is reflected in the food, music, dance, and art of the islands.

Is it safe to travel to Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is generally a safe destination for travelers. However, visitors should take normal precautions to protect themselves and their belongings. Petty crime can occur, especially in tourist areas, so it's best to be aware of your surroundings and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items.